Source: Liverpool_Echo
David Moyes targets Azerbaijani wonderkid Araz Abdullayev for Everton FC
Araz Abdullayev, Azerbaijan[LNB]EVERTON have moved closer to a permanent deal for Azerbaijani wonderkid Araz Abdullayev - as they missed out on another of their January midfield targets.[LNB]The Toffees have signed the 18-year-old midfielder subject to him being granted a work permit, although the youngest player to be capped by his country will remain at his club, Neftchi, for most of the season.[LNB]Abdullayev shot to the attention of a host of European sides after scoring a spectacular goal against Scotland Under-21s in March last year, and has long been linked with a move to Merseyside.[LNB]When he arrives at Goodison later this year he will train with the first team, while club officials apply for his work permit.[LNB] The deal will be good news for David Moyes' investment in youth, although another more immediate potential signing, Tottenham midfielder David Bentley, yesterday joined Birmingham City on loan instead.[LNB]Moyes had hoped to persuade the right-sided midfielder to seek first team football at Everton, but the Londoner has been lured by the financial terms on offer in the Midlands.[LNB]The Everton boss also said he has yet to receive any bids for striker Yakubu, despite reports that Championship club Leicester City are tracking him.[LNB]The forward has been the subject of media speculation linking him with a move away from Goodison during the current transfer window.
